Utahns help USA Rugby to quarterfinals finish in London prep tournament

United Rugby Club’s Calvin Whiting and Zach Webber helped lead the USA Rugby’s High School All-Americans to an impressive showing in the Rosslyn Park Sevens tournament in London.

The team, captained by Whiting, won all four of their pool games on Friday.

“This week has seen the players struggle in training as they have tried to adapt to the cold and wet conditions,” All-Americans coach Salty Thompson said. “However, today saw the team come together as they felt more at home and comfortable in the foreign conditions.”

By winning their group, the HSAAs advanced to the knock-out rounds on Saturday, where they were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the plate competition — one round better than their showing last season.

Thompson was particularly impressed with the play and work rate of the two Utahns on the squad.

“Both players were instrumental in our success and have made significant improvements in their pace and power since they debuted on the South American tour in July,” Thompson said.